Which CDD has most/least restrictive covenants?

[DrHitch]

Hi,
The monthly POA news as of March 2023 (POA of The Villages | Property Owners Association of the Villages (http://www.poa4us.org)) shared a story about the number of complaints, violations, and public hearings. The article discusses that not all CDDs have the same regulations and that "violations" are treated differently (e.g. lawn ornaments).

So, last year it looks like there were 6,473 complaints submitted (ranging from 419-760 per CDD), mostly anonymously.

Which of the 13 CDDs has the most restrictive and least restrictive POA covenants? Is there a summary document that shows the various differences, or is it "buyer beware" to read through multiple documents?

[Bogie Shooter]

Hi,
The monthly POA news as of March 2023 (POA of The Villages | Property Owners Association of the Villages (http://www.poa4us.org)) shared a story about the number of complaints, violations, and public hearings. The article discusses that not all CDDs have the same regulations and that "violations" are treated differently (e.g. lawn ornaments).

So, last year it looks like there were 6,473 complaints submitted (ranging from 419-760 per CDD), mostly anonymously.

Which of the 13 CDDs has the most restrictive and least restrictive POA covenants? Is there a summary document that shows the various differences, or is it "buyer beware" to read through multiple documents?

First of all, they are not POA covenants but Declaration of Restrictions. I have never seen a analysis of the differences between District deed restrictions. If you are really interested, you could read thru them all taking notes.
They are all available on District Gov site.

[Pairadocs]

First of all, they are not POA covenants but Declaration of Restrictions. I have never seen a analysis of the differences between District deed restrictions. If you are really interested, you could read thru them all taking notes.
They are all available on District Gov site.

So what are the fine points between a "covenant" (something, I would think, most of us are used to in any properties we've purchased in any location, and "declarations" ? Is declarations" a word that does not carry the same legal weight as "covenant" ? Perhaps the wording allows the villages more latitude in "enforcement", or ignore all together ? Just curious why we differ from the wording of the majority of communities. Anyone know ?

[Velvet]

Just drive around The Villages… should be easy to tell….

[villagetinker]

IMHO, the older sections appear to have more lenient deed restrictions, as they can have pink flamingos, it appears these may have grown more restrictive in following years. As noted above you can read all of them to see for yourself. I have no idea of the restrictions in the areas south of 44.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

IMHO, the older sections appear to have more lenient deed restrictions, as they can have pink flamingos, it appears these may have grown more restrictive in following years. As noted above you can read all of them to see for yourself. I have no idea of the restrictions in the areas south of 44.

If I'm not mistaken that has to do with the bylaws or ordinances of the town of Lady lake or lake County.

One or the other also prohibits bonds on new homes as well.

[RICH1]

Ask the Ladies with the Clipboards

[Papa_lecki]

If I'm not mistaken that has to do with the bylaws or ordinances of the town of Lady lake or lake County.

One or the other also prohibits bonds on new homes as well.

Pretty sure the Developer would not have bought thousands of acres in Lake County (Leesburg) is they didn’t allow a bond.

[champion6]

If I'm not mistaken that has to do with the bylaws or ordinances of the town of Lady lake or lake County.

One or the other also prohibits bonds on new homes as well.I don't know about "prohibits." What I do know are these facts:

Homes within Lady Lake do not have a bond -- Villages of Country Club Hills, Orange Blossom Gardens, Silver Lake, Del Mar, El Cortez, La Reynalda, La Zamora, Mira Mesa, Valle Verde.

Lake County homes outside of Lady Lake have a bond -- Villages of Pine Hills, Pine Ridge, Dabney, Newell, Lake Denham.

[sdeikenberry]

All of the bonds are mostly, if not completely, paid off north of 466, which can be an attraction to purchase north of 466. That said, District 1 probably has the most lax deed restrictions.

[KsJayhawkers]

I agree the historic section has the least restrictive. When I hear the complaints about lawn ornaments, color of homes, etc., I point them to the historic section to form their own opinion if deed restrictions are good or not. I like living in a deed restricted community.

[msilagy]

The historic section definitely. When I had a home there some parked cars on the lawn. Now maybe that has changed. It was 13 years ago. I am not ashamed to admit I reported them. Anyway I now live in CCD 5 and there are NO minor complaints or grievances that can be reported. The rule is speak neighbor to neighbor to try and resolve things. Not sure how many CCD's have this rule however.

[crash]

The historic section definitely. When I had a home there some parked cars on the lawn. Now maybe that has changed. It was 13 years ago. I am not ashamed to admit I reported them. Anyway I now live in CCD 5 and there are NO minor complaints or grievances that can be reported. The rule is speak neighbor to neighbor to try and resolve things. Not sure how many CCD's have this rule however.

I believe you can still report them just not anonymously.

[rustyp]

If I'm not mistaken that has to do with the bylaws or ordinances of the town of Lady lake or lake County.

One or the other also prohibits bonds on new homes as well.

The reason the historic side has no bond is simple. It was established before "The Villages" was established under a CDD type government. The bonds are issued by the developer to pay for infrastructure up front. Next you will ask about why new homes going up on the historic side don't have a bond. Answer - the infrastructure is already there.

[Marathon Man]

The historic section definitely. When I had a home there some parked cars on the lawn. Now maybe that has changed. It was 13 years ago. I am not ashamed to admit I reported them. Anyway I now live in CCD 5 and there are NO minor complaints or grievances that can be reported. The rule is speak neighbor to neighbor to try and resolve things. Not sure how many CCD's have this rule however.

You might want to attend the next board meeting and get that right.

[DrHitch]

So what are the fine points between a "covenant" (something, I would think, most of us are used to in any properties we've purchased in any location), and "declarations" ?

As the OP of this thread, I myself may have been mistaken in my choice of words.... A deed restriction versus a covenant versus a declaration are all somewhat misused. Here's a good article on the subject:

Restrictive Covenants or Deed Restrictions (https://www.dossey.com/blog/2018/december/restrictive-covenants-or-deed-restrictions/)

[DrHitch]

.... If you are really interested, you could read thru them all taking notes.

Ok, I'll make it a top priority over golf to go to the district web site and read all the CDD documents and report back here on the "differences"....haha

[JRcorvette]

Ask the Ladies with the Clipboards

It’s true they are all women who have nothing better to do with their life. They don’t golf or do any activities. This is their little power trip. Next time I see them with their camera and clipboard I think I will follow them around for a while on my bike.

[Nucky]

The trade off of an occasional flamingo vs. the perfection that they strive for in the new area is difficult to accept at first. I get it now. The block we live on is full of newbie’s. It’s a rush to get everything done, palm trees installed etc.

The Historic Section is full of many more beautiful well cared for wonderfully decorated homes inside and out filled with people who have been here since the beginning. Stories about Mr. Schwartz are plentiful and the sense of neighborliness is unmatched anywhere else. Don’t get me wrong, I love the new section but when I look in the rear view mirror I see what a great start the original section gave to us. I wasn’t sure I would like Florida or The Villages so starting at about 100,000 7 years ago felt good to me. This entire operation is just the best. I didn’t drink any Koolaid. I put as little money at risk as possible. I put 25K into that 1300 Sq Ft Love Shack. I enjoyed every day over there and will ferociously defend the people and place we left behind.

I don’t understand for the life of me how people feel that they have the rite to criticize where another person lives. To me such behavior is worse than a Flamingo.

[Velvet]

It’s true they are all women who have nothing better to do with their life. They don’t golf or do any activities. This is their little power trip. Next time I see them with their camera and clipboard I think I will follow them around for a while on my bike.

Careful, they might invite you for supper.

[cswett5234]

I would back off the “ladies with the clipboards”, as those are real jobs with responsibilities that enforce deed restrictions/covenants….how would you like it if your neighbor had a “project car” on cinder blocks for months or parked on the lawn or didn’t cut his grass, etc… Your first call would be to the “ladies with the clipboards”, I can assure you.

Another example, you follow the rules and decide to build a bird-cage over your property, your neighbor does NOT get a building permit and just does it, not taking into account property envelopes or setbacks, would that be fair to YOU for following the rules….

So, while you enjoy criticizing these people, they are doing a valuable service and you need to cut them some slack….plus, they help keep your property values in place and covenants observed.

[rustyp]

I would back off the “ladies with the clipboards”, as those are real jobs with responsibilities that enforce deed restrictions/covenants….how would you like it if your neighbor had a “project car” on cinder blocks for months or parked on the lawn or didn’t cut his grass, etc… Your first call would be to the “ladies with the clipboards”, I can assure you.

Another example, you follow the rules and decide to build a bird-cage over your property, your neighbor does NOT get a building permit and just does it, not taking into account property envelopes or setbacks, would that be fair to YOU for following the rules….

So, while you enjoy criticizing these people, they are doing a valuable service and you need to cut them some slack….plus, they help keep your property values in place and covenants observed.

Ladies with clip boards are not real jobs ! The official route for complaints is:
Community Standards
Phone: 352-751-3912 • Fax: 352-751-6707
Email Deed Compliance

[Bogie Shooter]

It’s true they are all women who have nothing better to do with their life. They don’t golf or do any activities. This is their little power trip. Next time I see them with their camera and clipboard I think I will follow them around for a while on my bike.

Could be like chasing UFO’s.:laugh:

[Bogie Shooter]

I would back off the “ladies with the clipboards”, as those are real jobs with responsibilities that enforce deed restrictions/covenants….how would you like it if your neighbor had a “project car” on cinder blocks for months or parked on the lawn or didn’t cut his grass, etc… Your first call would be to the “ladies with the clipboards”, I can assure you.

Another example, you follow the rules and decide to build a bird-cage over your property, your neighbor does NOT get a building permit and just does it, not taking into account property envelopes or setbacks, would that be fair to YOU for following the rules….

So, while you enjoy criticizing these people, they are doing a valuable service and you need to cut them some slack….plus, they help keep your property values in place and covenants observed.
Do you really believe what you have posted?

[jimjamuser]

Hi,
The monthly POA news as of March 2023 (POA of The Villages | Property Owners Association of the Villages (http://www.poa4us.org)) shared a story about the number of complaints, violations, and public hearings. The article discusses that not all CDDs have the same regulations and that "violations" are treated differently (e.g. lawn ornaments).

So, last year it looks like there were 6,473 complaints submitted (ranging from 419-760 per CDD), mostly anonymously.

Which of the 13 CDDs has the most restrictive and least restrictive POA covenants? Is there a summary document that shows the various differences, or is it "buyer beware" to read through multiple documents?
One of those CDDs around Lake Sumter REQIRES married couples to hold hands and walk 2 abreast on the same side of the residential street as vehicles. Very restrictive!

[DrHitch]

OMG....when I do my homework in comparing all of the CDD deed restrictions, I'll be sure to add this to the spreadsheet!!!

[tophcfa]

Selective enforcement of deed restrictions has made a mockery of the whole concept. Put a little white cross in your garden and we’re coming to get you. Run a horrible turn style AIRBNB out of your home, that disrupts the entire neighborhood, and we’ll look the other way. Either enforce all deed restrictions or none at all.

[GizmoWhiskers]

IMHO, the older sections appear to have more lenient deed restrictions, as they can have pink flamingos, it appears these may have grown more restrictive in following years. As noted above you can read all of them to see for yourself. I have no idea of the restrictions in the areas south of 44.
Depends on whether a person gets permission to do "add ons" before land transfers to T V. Seeing stuff in DeLuna that makes you wonder how the stuff is getting pushed through and then you find out the Developer granted prior to transfer.

[rogerk]

So what are the fine points between a "covenant" (something, I would think, most of us are used to in any properties we've purchased in any location, and "declarations" ? Is declarations" a word that does not carry the same legal weight as "covenant" ? Perhaps the wording allows the villages more latitude in "enforcement", or ignore all together ? Just curious why we differ from the wording of the majority of communities. Anyone know ?
We are not a HOA , we are in fact a unit of a special purpose government.

The Covenants and Restrictions are not enforced or regulated by the Developer; it is residents in their respective districts who enforce the rules and can with approval of the residents modify the restrictions and covenants.

[JMintzer]

Selective enforcement of deed restrictions has made a mockery of the whole concept. Put a little white cross in your garden and we’re coming to get you. Run a horrible turn style AIRBNB out of your home, that disrupts the entire neighborhood, and we’ll look the other way. Either enforce all deed restrictions or none at all.

Is there a deed restriction against having an Air B&B?

[Bill14564]

Is there a deed restriction against having an Air B&B?

Some will say that the renter is the customer of the AirBnB. Since there is a restriction against running a business in your home that results in customers visiting your home then it would follow that the AirBnB would be in violation.

Others will argue that there is a difference between an occupant and a visiting customer and the renter is the occupant (if only for a short time). Therefore the AirBnB would not have customers visiting and would not be in violation.

Still others will wonder whether there are State laws that prohibit local governments from restricting AirBnBs.

[tophcfa]

Is there a deed restriction against having an Air B&B?

Running an AIRBNB, while simultaneously living in the home, violates two deed restrictions. First, residential properties are limited to single family usage. Second, running a business out of homes is not allowed. Renting a room in one’s home to a non family member, while living there, violates both deed restrictions. Unfortunately, both deed restrictions are classified as internal deed restrictions, which are the responsibility of the developer to enforce. The developer has a HUGH conflict of interest regarding enforcement and should not have that responsibility. Enforcement of these particular deed restrictions would limit homeowners ability to generate income from their property, reducing demand for the homes they are building as fast as they can. At the end of the day, it’s all about selling houses.

[Velvet]

Next door an elderly couple bought the house for their daughter. She is still working up north and not ready to move for a few years. In the meantime they rent it out. This winter a couple has rented out the designer house. They invited another couple for two weeks to stay with them (different state license plates). Then now they’ve invited a different couple again for 3 weeks. All of them are quiet and considerate but I wonder if legal?

[JMintzer]

Running an AIRBNB, while simultaneously living in the home, violates two deed restrictions. First, residential properties are limited to single family usage. Second, running a business out of homes is not allowed. Renting a room in one’s home to a non family member, while living there, violates both deed restrictions. Unfortunately, both deed restrictions are classified as internal deed restrictions, which are the responsibility of the developer to enforce. The developer has a HUGH conflict of interest regarding enforcement and should not have that responsibility. Enforcement of these particular deed restrictions would limit homeowners ability to generate income from their property, reducing demand for the homes they are building as fast as they can. At the end of the day, it’s all about selling houses.

A B&B typically has the owner present. To prepare meals and provide maid service.

An Air B&B does not...

Apple and Kumquats...

[JMintzer]

Next door an elderly couple bought the house for their daughter. She is still working up north and not ready to move for a few years. In the meantime they rent it out. This winter a couple has rented out the designer house. They invited another couple for two weeks to stay with them (different state license plates). Then now they’ve invited a different couple again for 3 weeks. All of them are quiet and considerate but I wonder if legal?

Why wouldn't it be legal?

TV has their own rental division, renting private homes for residents. We rented thru them for two months on our 2nd visit to TV. Having houseguests is of no concern to them nor the CCD...

[pauld315]

IMHO, the older sections appear to have more lenient deed restrictions, as they can have pink flamingos, it appears these may have grown more restrictive in following years. As noted above you can read all of them to see for yourself. I have no idea of the restrictions in the areas south of 44.

They became more restrictive because people put pink flamingoes in the yards of home without that restriction. We have one house that uses plastic flowers out front and another that had a full sized cannon in the front yard.

[pauld315]

Why wouldn't it be legal?

TV has their own rental division, renting private homes for residents. We rented thru them for two months on our 2nd visit to TV. Having houseguests is of no concern to them nor the CCD...

Very common with rentals to have 6 adults sharing one home. Legal, yes,since there are no rental restrictions, but all of the amenities were built based on 2 people per rooftop. Now you understand why you have to wait in line 30 minutes between pickleball games, have to get to an aerobics class an hour ahead of time, etc etc during the season. Where elese could a couple rent for a month in Florida in the winter, have access to 95% of the amenities and pay 1/3 of the rent (at most $1700.00 per couple or a little over $50 a day)?

[JMintzer]

Very common with rentals to have 6 adults sharing one home. Legal, yes,since there are no rental restrictions, but all of the amenities were built based on 2 people per rooftop. Now you understand why you have to wait in line 30 minutes between pickleball games, have to get to an aerobics class an hour ahead of time, etc etc during the season. Where elese could a couple rent for a month in Florida in the winter, have access to 95% of the amenities and pay 1/3 of the rent (at most $1700.00 per couple or a little over $50 a day)?

Very common?

Interesting... I've never seen it...

When we rented, My daughter and her (then) fiance´ stayed with us for a while.

That's 4 adults under one roof... Was that a problem?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The older section has the least restrictions, but it still has restrictions. The properties are still required to be in decent condition, kept up and maintained. Violations, when reported and verified, are subject to fines.

Yes, you can have a pink flamingo. And yes, some people have them. Not sure why they're vilified, they are no more or less offensive to me than a front yard full of river rocks like some of the courtyard villas have (and are allowed to have).